Air diverter attachment



Dec. 7, 1943.

C. REIMULLER 1 AIR DIVERTER ATTACHMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 3,1942 -771 1 27; 20 7' (227 fez'zzzaZZer' Dec. 7, 1943. c. REIMULLER AIRDIVERTER ATTACHMENT Filed March 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Phtm edDecaPATENT 7 OFFICE estates I .nrvaa'raa'arraonmmr Carylfi eimuller, Shokie,m. ,ApplloationMarch a, 194:, 'Serial No. 433,109

'7, Claims.- (Cl- 230-274) 'lhe'preaentzinventionrelatesto is andiverterp attachment adapted to berused' in connection with .a grillethrough'which air currents emanate. either byconvecturexor"are: forciblyprojected byafanorathe-like; functionelof devices of this character 1182to distribute a and circulate the air currents emanating-1; through. thegrille for 'dis-' tribution I over 1- a relatively wide, angular range.

The: attachment constituting the: presentleinventionise-especiallyysuitable foruse in conjunction withvnon'-oscillsting-types: of electricv fans.

' It is tor-be understood-, however, that thedevicelsalsokcapableot"use: inconnection with grilles ofvariousother'types-offapparatusthrough which air currents .ema nate,'-either by convection or by being forciblyproiected by: use of a fan,such asin connection: with. the. radiator of .a unit heater,

or inconnectionwith grilles-,usedfin conjunction with various :types'ofapparatus; for either heat- I ing or: cooling purposesiz,

fl he" air diverter attachment herein illustrated lendsitself'forconvenient: adaptation to the major: range-of sizes -oi'felectric fans,of a the eta tionary or non-oscillatingtypes. It has-been1 fecognizedthat in roomsconta-ining a large number of persons; astationary; ornon-oscillating properly supported during;the time that the fan properis oscillated. In the larger types of'fans a relatively large size ofmotor is utilized, thus adding considerably to the amount of weightwhich must be properly supported during oscillation of the entire fan.

' -"One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a novelform of attachment of the a character indicated, characterized by theprovision ofa pair of parallel, spaced apart panels or vanes disposed infront of the grille through which. air currents emanate, and whereinsaid panels are oscillated for eifecting continuous, uniformdistribution of the currents throughout a relatively wide angular range.

Another object is to provide a novel self-con,- tained, unitary airdiverter attachment constructed and arranged so as to permit quick andeasy detachable securement' to a grille through fan .is often ,iound ;tobe objectionable and unsatisfactory in that-too much'air-is concentratedfor movement in alimitedpath, while the air intadiacent areas of the*roomremains substantially inert. The air diverter: attachment embodyingthe present invention, when associated with f a;stationary; ornonoscillating fan, functions; tuigradually andpcontinuously shiftandrdirect the air eurrentsovera substantial angular range, therebycausing; agitation and circulation of the air throughout a-greaterxareaof the room. The use of my novel airdiverter. attachmentin conjunctionwith relativelylarge types of nonoscillating fans results in obtainingthe above Q mentioned advantages, which could not ,otherwisebecobtained. I Itis knownthat the larger types of non-oscillating'fans,such :as the'pedestal type of fan or the platform mountedfanywhichusually range inrsizes of eighteeneinchdiameter and. larger,are relatively heavy inconstruction and weight, and theiprimary reasonwhy-such large size fans "are notirnadein the' oscillating form is dueto two factors: One, b'ecause of the relatively large size and-weight,and secondly, becauseyof the great' increase in cost which would resultlargely from thetype' of'supportingxestructure andactuating-meamfrequired. in order to take care of the" substantialincrease in'weight which'must be "which air currents emanate, andcharacterized by the provision of a pair; of vertically disposed,parallel, spaced apart panels or vanes operated bypower driven mechanismfor movement in unison and in substantiallyparallel relation to eachother, for distributing the air currents throughout a relatively wideangular range.

A-further object is to provide a novel air diverter attachment of thecharacter indicated, in-

gized power driven mechanism within the housciuding a housing adaptedfor detachable securement to a, grille through which the air currentsemanate, and wherein the housing is provided at opposite sides with apair of vertically, spaced .apart arms, to the outer ends oi. each'pairof which is pivotally connected a vertically disposed panel or vane,together with electrically enering and having operating connections tothe pandiverter attachment, embodying the present invention:

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the attachment, takensubstantiallyas indicated Figure 6 is a top plan view of the airdiverter attachment shown mounted on a fan guard or grille:

Figure 'l is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the housing andmounting. taken aubstantially as indicated at line 'l--l on Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken atline. 8-2 on Figure 7, showing details of construction and operatingconnections for oscillating the panels:

Figure 9 is a transverse detail, sectional view through the mounting ofthe device as applied assume I I H oi! center with respect to theslightly outwardly generallycircular terminal portions 28 of said arms.The purpose of this offset relationship is to provide substantiallycentral support of the panel 28 on the respective terminal portions 26of said arms, as may be seen in Figures 4 and of the drawings. Thevertical portions of the T- shaped slots 29 in the panel permitinsertion of the offset portions 3i and 32 of said rod 30, incident toconnection of theterm'inal portions 28 of said arms in properrelationship to the panel 28. After the panel is placed upon thesupporting terminals 26 of the arms,-the terminal end Ii aperture 22a ofthe terminal portion 22 of said 1 to a fan guard, taken substantially asindicated I at line 2-8 on Figure 7.

For the purposes of illustration, I have herein shown my novelairdiverter attachment as used in connection with a non-oscillating typeof power driven fan, which is herein shown fragmentarily, and includes afan blade, indicated at III, which is enclosed and protected by a guardor grille of conventional design, as indicated at ll. Such guards orgrilles, as is well known, are of conventional form and are usuallyfabricated of wire or flat bar stock elements.

The air diverter attachment proper includes a frame structure composedof a hollow housing v I I, which is open at its rear end, as clearlyseen in Figure 7 of the drawings. Said housing may be formed of anysuitable material, such as metal or plastic. As shown in the drawings,said housing is formed at top and bottom with parallel, flat mountingsurfaces, as. indicated at H, the rear edges of which terminate intransversely extending, undercut slots ll. Said frame structure alsoincludes two pair of oppositely disposed supporting arms 20 arranged onopposite sides of the housing ll. Said arms each include a flat baseportion 2 l, adapted to be seated on the respective of'the rod 4| isfirst fed through the vertical portion'. ofthe upperslot fl in a mannerso as to project the offset portions ll through the upper arm anddisposing the oflset portion ll on the exterior of the panel, as seen inFigure 1 of the drawings. Said rod is then pushed upwardly until theshoulderportion of the rod. which serves to connect the oflset portionll with the main body portion of the rod, encounters the under side ofthe terminal portion 22 of the upper arm. Then the offset portion 32 atthe lower end of the rod is projected through the vertical portion ofthe lower slot 20 so as to dispose the end thereof through the slot atthe opposite.

sideof the panel into the opening 20a in the terminal portion 26 of thelower arm. The rod 20 is then pushed downwardly to the position as seenin Figure 1 of the drawingaand thus serves to lock the panel permanentlyin pivotal relation on the supporting terminals 2 of the flat mountingsurfaces ll of the housing, with the f rearward marginal portion of saidbase portion 2| seated in the undercut grooves II, as clearly seen inthe drawings, so that each of said arms may be conveniently and rigidlysecured in position on the housing by a single fastening screw, asindicated at 22. Thearms of the respective pairs diverge with respect toeach other and terminate at their outer ends in horizontally extendingterminal portions 26 of generally circula-r outline, as may be clearlyseen in Figure 4 of respective pairs of arms 20.

The arms 20 are formed as sheet metal stampings and, in order to obtainlightness of weight and still attain adequate rigidity for properlysupporting the panels or vanes 22, the angular intermediate portions ofsaid arms is'formed with a central rib 10a.

Mounted within the housing II, as clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8 of thedrawings, is an eleo-- tric motor 25' such as a clock type, synchronousmotor, the housing of which terminates at its forward end in a housing26 which it may be understood serves to enclose suitable speed-reducinggearing, so that the operating drive shaft indicated at 21 projectingfrom the housing portion 38 rotates at relatively low speed, such as twoor three R. P. M. Said housing II is provided with a pair ofoutwardly-projecting lugs or ears 38 whichserve as mounting lugs forsecuring the motor and reduction gearing as a unit,

by means of screws 22, to the bosses 40 formed in the interior of thehousing II.

Mounted on the drive shaft 21 is a crank arm 42 of generally U-shapedformation, with the outer leg as indicated at 42a, of greater lengththan the'other leg. Said crank arm is rigidly secured to the outer endof the drive shaft 21. by means of a set screw 42. Pivotally andswivelly connected to the outer end of the leg 42a ofthe rear edge ofthe panel.

portions "41 the conneetmg rods are formed k with slight enlargements,as indicatedat "a, so as torequire slight pressure in projecting throughthe aperture in the clip members ll so as to releasably lock theconnecting rods in positionf l I It willflnow be apparent that as thedrive shaft "i 3 rotates, rotary motion is imparted tothe crank arm, tocause the connecting rods," to move first in one lateral direction andthen in the op- I posite direction, and thus resultsin moving both"panels 28 asa unit in an oscillating manner throughout asubstiuitialangular range, as indicated in dotted-outline in Figure 6; It-will be,

apparent that by providing a pivotal mounting for the respective panelsor vanes, located a sub- 4 "stantial distance inwardly from the rearedge i assume of the" panels, it is possible to utilize and act 1 uponagreater angular range of the air currents passing through the grille llthan would be possible'lf the pivotal axis were located adjacent Inorder to adapt the unitary air diverter attachment fon-usein connectionwith various sizes of' fans and "of various grille formations, I haveprovided a special mounting fixture which consists inan elongated plateIII which is formed with a pair'of inturned lugs II for securement tothe interior of the open end of the housing il by means of screws 52, asseen in Figure 7 of. the drawings. The outer ends of the elongated platell are-formed with apertures for accoms modating bolts." for cooperativeengagement with a clampingmember which is composed of an annular ringII, to the back surface of which is rigidly secured, such as by welding,substantially centrally thereof, a pair ofv closely spacedapart bars ll,as seen in the drawings. 1 "Thus, when it is desired to secure theattachment to a grille, such as indicated at H, the clamping membercomposed of thering "and the bars II is. inserted on the inner side oithe grille and the bolts. I are then projected through the apertures inthe outerends of the plate I and be-.

tween the bars ll, so as to rigidly clamp the grille ll between theplate in and the annular ring II, as seen in the drawings.

and extending from opposite sides of said housing, the arms of each pairbeing vertically spaced apart and having their outer ends disposed insubstantially vertical alignment, a pair or upright parallel panelspivotally mounted respectively on the outer ends of said pairs or arms asubstantial distance forwardly of the rear edge of said panels,electrically operated power driven mechanism within said housing, andmeans connecting said mechanism to said panels for oscillating themabouttheir pivot axes.

'3. An air diverter attachment adapted to be connected to a grillethrough which air currents emanate, comprising a housing, two pairs 01'oppo'sitely extending supporting arms connected to and extending fromopposite sides of said housins, the arms oi. each pair being verticallyspaced apart and having their outer ends disposed in substantiallyvertical alignment, a pair of upright parallel panels pivotally mountedrespectively on the outer ends oi said pairs of arms, the outer'ends ofsaid arms being formed as flat horizontally disposed terminal portionsadapted to be projected through horizontal slots in said panels toprovide a substantial bearing surface for the latter, electricallyoperated power driven mechanism within said housing, and means coning,the arms of each pair being vertically spaced apart and having theirouter ends disposed in substantially vertical alignment, a pair ofupright parallel panels pivotally mounted respec- While I have hereinshown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestlyitis capable of modification and rearrangement of parts without departingfrom the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to I beunderstood as limiting this invention to the precise form as hereindisclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims. What Iclaim asmy invention and desire t 1. An air diverter attachment adaptedto be connected to -a grille through which air currents emanate,comprising a housing, two pairs of oppositely extending supporting armsconnected to and extending from opposite sides of said housing, the armsof each pair being vertically spaced apart, and having thei outer endsdisposed in substantially vertical alignment, a pair of upright parallelpanels pivotally mounted respectively on they outer ends ofsaid pairs ofarms, electrically operated power driven mechanism within said housing,and means connecting said mechanism to said panels for oscillating themabout their pivot axes.

2. An air'diverter attachment adapted to be connected to a grille throuh which air currents emanate, comprising a housing, two pairs of 0D-posltely extending supporting arms connected to I protect by LettersPatent of the United States is:v

- tively on the outer ends of said pairs-0f arms,

the outer ends of said arms being formed as flat horizontally disposedterminal portions adapted to be projected through horizontal slots insaid panels to provide a substantial bearing surface for the latter, asingle upright rod for connecting each panel to a pair of arms andhaving the opposite ends thereof formed with laterally offset portionsadapted to be projected through vertical slots, contiguous with thehorizontal slots in said panels, so as to permit insertion throughapertures in said Tterminal portions of the arms to provide said pivotalconnections of the panels to said arms, electrically operated powerdriven mechanism within said housing, and means .con-

. 'necting' said mechanism to said panels for oscillating them abouttheir pivot axes.

5. An air diverter attachment adapted to be connected to a grillethrough which air currents emanate, comprising a housing, two pairs ofoppositely extending supporting arms connected to and extending fromopposite sides of said housing, the arms of each pair being verticallyspaced apart and having their outer ends disposed in substantiallyvertical alignment, a pair of upright parallel panels pivotally mountedrespectively on the outer ends of said pairs of arms, electricallyoperated power driven mechanism within said housing and including arotary crank arm, and a pair of oppositely extending connecting rodseach being connected at one end to said crank arm and extending throughslots in said housing and having their opposite ends pivotally connectedto the respective panels.

6. An air diverter attachment adapted to be connected to a grillethrough which air currents emanate, comprising. a housing, clamping'means for detachably securing the rear end or said housing firmly tosaid grille. two pairs 01." oppositely extending supporting armsconnected to and extending from opposite sides-o1 said' housing, thearms oi each pair being vertically-spacedapart and havingtheirouterends' disposed in substantially vertical alignment, a pairofupright parallel panels pivotally mounted respectivelyon the outer endsof said pairs 0! arms, electrically operated power drivenmechanismwithin said housing, and means connecting saidmechanism to saidpanels for oscillating'them about their pivot 88- 7. An air diverterattachment adapted to be 16 connected to agrillethrough whichair'currents emanate, comprising a housing,'twozpairs Ofiop- -positelyextendingsupporting 'arms'connected'to and extending vfrom oppositesidesrct'said housinn-the arms oteach pairbeing verticallyspaced apartand having theirouter ends-"disp s d in substantially vertical;alisnment, a pair of'xuprights parallel panels pivotally mountedrespec-' tively on the outer ends of said 'pairof arms, electricallyoperated power driven: mechanism within said housing, andimeansconnecting said mechanism tosaidpanels ior oscillating them in union andin substantiallyparallel relation to each other at all times.

'CARYL

